Apple today unveiled the all-new MacBook, a new line of notebooks reinvented in every way to deliver the thinnest and lightest Macs ever. Every component of the new MacBook has been meticulously redesigned to create a Mac® that weighs just two pounds and is 13.1 mm thin. The new MacBook features a stunning 12-inch Retina® display that is the thinnest ever on a Mac, an Apple-designed full-size keyboard which is dramatically thinner and highly responsive, the all-new Force Touch trackpad that brings a new dimension of interactivity to the Mac, an incredibly compact USB-C port for data transfer, video out and charging in a single connector, and a new battery design that maximizes every millimeter of space to deliver all-day battery life. And, for the first time, MacBook is available in three gorgeous aluminum finishes—gold, silver and space gray.
“Apple has reinvented the notebook with the new MacBook, and at just two pounds and 13.1 mm, it’s the thinnest and lightest Mac ever,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Every component of the MacBook reveals a new innovation. From its fanless design, ultra-thin Retina display and full-size keyboard that’s 34 percent thinner, to its all-new Force Touch trackpad, versatile USB-C port and breakthrough terraced battery design, the new MacBook is the future of the notebook.”
Measuring just 13.1 mm at its thickest point, the new MacBook design is an amazing 24 percent thinner than the 11-inch MacBook Air®. With a new precision-milled unibody enclosure featuring integrated Wi-Fi antennas and a top case with polished stainless steel Apple logo, MacBook is available in three elegant finishes—gold, silver and space gray—and is the first MacBook with an all-metal enclosure.
The perfect match to a full-size keyboard is a 12-inch display, and the new MacBook features a stunning 12-inch Retina display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Measuring just 0.88 mm thin, the Retina display on the new MacBook is the thinnest display ever on a Mac. With a larger aperture for each pixel, the new Retina display is also extremely efficient and uses 30 percent less energy than existing Mac notebook Retina displays, while delivering the same level of brightness. And with a resolution of 2304 x 1440, text, photos and movies come to life with astounding clarity.
MacBook also features the all-new Force Touch trackpad that brings a new dimension of interactivity to the Mac. The new trackpad features built-in force sensors that allow you to click anywhere and haptic feedback that provides a responsive and uniform feel. You can even customize the feel of the trackpad by changing the amount of pressure needed to register each click. The Force Touch trackpad also enables a new gesture called Force Click, a click followed by a deeper press, for tasks like pulling up the definition of a word, quickly seeing a map or glancing at a preview of a file.
Applying miniaturization techniques used in iPhone® and iPad®, MacBook features the most compact logic board ever in a Mac, measuring an amazing 67 percent smaller than the logic board of the 11-inch MacBook Air. With no moving parts or vents, the new MacBook was designed from the ground up to be the first fanless Mac notebook for silent, efficient performance. MacBook features the new fifth-generation Intel Core M processor that runs at just 5 watts and Intel HD Graphics 5300. The highly efficient processors work in conjunction with optimizations throughout OS X® to make the new MacBook the world’s most energy efficient notebook.*
The new MacBook features a breakthrough terraced battery design that is layered in individual sheets that are precisely contoured to fit the MacBook’s sleek, curved enclosure. As a result, the new MacBook has 35 percent more battery capacity than would be possible with traditional battery cells and delivers all-day battery life with up to 9 hours of wireless web browsing and up to 10 hours of iTunes® movie playback.**
Designed for the wireless world, MacBook is perfect for tasks like streaming content from your MacBook to your HDTV using AirPlay®, exchanging files quickly using AirDrop®, or using wireless headphones. MacBook is equipped with the latest wireless technologies, including built-in 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 for fast wireless connectivity.
The new MacBook also features a next-generation USB-C port that is incredibly small, yet extremely versatile and even more user friendly. A new industry standard, USB-C supports higher wattage charging, USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5Gbps) data transfer and DisplayPort 1.2 all in a single connector that’s one-third the size of a traditional USB port.
Every new Mac comes with OS X Yosemite, a powerful new version of OS X, redesigned and refined with a fresh, modern look, powerful new apps and amazing Continuity features that make working across your Mac and iOS devices more fluid than ever.
iMovie®, GarageBand®, iPhoto®, and Pages®, Numbers® and Keynote® come free with every new Mac. iMovie lets you easily create beautiful movies, you can use GarageBand to make new music or learn to play piano or guitar and you can edit and share your best shots with iPhoto. Pages, Numbers and Keynote, make it easy to create, edit and share stunning documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Pages, Numbers and Keynote for iCloud® let you create a document on iPhone or iPad, edit it on your Mac and collaborate with friends, even if they are on a PC. The new Photos for OS X app keeps your growing photo and video collection automatically organized and easy to navigate and will be included in an OS X Yosemite update this spring.
Pricing & Availability
The all-new MacBook will begin shipping Friday, April 10 through the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores and select Apple Authorized Resellers. MacBook comes with a 1.1 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.4 GHz, 8GB of memory, 256GB of flash storage and Intel HD Graphics 5300 starting at $1,299 (US); and with a 1.2 GHz dual-core Intel Core M processor with Turbo Boost speeds up to 2.6GHz, 8GB of memory, 512GB of flash storage and Intel HD Graphics 5300 starting at $1,599 (US). Additional technical specifications, configure-to-order options and accessories are available online.
More information here.
Very, very cool product.
One burning question I have, and it’s an important one: Target Disk mode?
This is a must have feature for mass deployment. Please, please, please let it be possible via USB C.
also, is there only one USB C port or two?
One USB-C port. One headphone jack. That’s it. I’m getting one as soon as they come out, I already have an iMac for the heavy stuff.
thanks for the response.
I’m interested in it too… looks like something that might replace an iPad actually.
One. The other side is a headphone jack.
Very cool until one realizes that the PowerBook from a decade ago practically offered as much capability as this machine.
I get it, Apple, that you think thinness is the only thing that matters to your core audience.
But for once, would you please just listen to your hardcore users who are asking for more capable Macs in other sizes and configurations? Please?
there are still the MacBook pros and other MacBook airs.
Seb, have a look at this:
http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Mac
What most don’t realize is that the Macrumors buyers’ guide is optimistic — it tells when a product was updated, but it doesn’t score in demerits when Apple removes and neuters its products with each generation. You all know exactly what I mean, especially those of you who have shelled out hundreds, if not thousands, for 3rd party external Thunderbolt Accessories.
Overall Apple’s desktop Mac lineup is atrocious and the notebook lineup is also stale. Gone completely are 17″ MacBook Pro and any semblance of a real internal-expandible tower workstation or rack-mounted server, or a powerful home media server.
New MBA buyers: enjoy the new USB-C adapter collection that you will buy with it!
It is not a new MBA, it is the new MacBook. MBAs are not only still available they updated them. The 15″ Retina MBP was the replacement of the 17″ MBP, the 13″ Retina was the replacement of the 15″ non Retina. They still have the 13″ non Retina. Yes you gave up some real estate for a better screen and something that is easier to carry. As far as the internal-expandable tower good riddance. The new Pro is a lot easer to expand and upgrade. You don’t have to power down and tear apart the machine to make a big change to it. The new Pro is a lot quieter too. It is not a DYI gamer box. The new 5K iMac is very impressive, I don’t know of another computer like it. The same with the MBAs and MBPs, with Thunderbolt it is easier to add new pro equipment. Apple changed the thinking of how to build pro computers with TB. Most MS laptops abandoned the pro market years ago, that is why they went with the cheaper, and less useful USB 3.
The new MB is Apple getting back into consumer notebooks. I do think they are over priced though.
You missed his point. Also, that 2″ of screen real estate is never made up by a sharper resolution. You speak like someone who has never used a laptop before.
Yes, I do use notebooks. I do understand real estate. The 17″ was a great, however it was more of a desktop replacement than something to carry around a lot. They are heavy and bulky. A large screen is great, a large footprint is not. When you are working with photos and videos resolution is more important. If a large screen size is more important than portability than an iMac would be a better choice. I know a lot of people whose notebook rarely leaves their desk. For the few times you need a computer somewhere else a MBA would probably work. If you need to move you computer to different locations constantly a 15″ is easier to hold, pack, and use in restaurants and airplanes.
Here we go again WetFX….this is you: “…I do think they are over priced though.”
is that what you think? Go and price a comparable anything out in the market, then come back and tell us how is the MacBook overpriced.
It is the mantra that everyone that feels guilty about a mac uses…I love them but truly, they are overpriced.
Here we have a new retina display, the thinnest laptop, usb-c, new keyboard, new pad, etc. Things that will be standard in future notebooks from all vendors but that they waited for Apple to show them the way. Then you ramble on about MBP not being a gamers box…when have Apple sold you a MBP and told you that it was a gamers box? You people are so funny.
(Your reasoning) I am disgusted with Chevy because the Impala I bought is not a race car, really? That is the mindset you use to justify your comments. jajajajajaja…
People, you have to love their reasoning for things.
PS: Lets have a test. Anyone that keep saying that Macs are over priced need to explain by comparing them with a low end notebook but one with the same capabilities, quality, and build as Macs. Do not throw in there my 13″ HP Pavilion I bought for $450. Those cheap things don’t count. I truly hope you already knew that. Mercedes are always overpriced for the Kia buyer. (Just kind of ramming the point home!. LOL.)
The dell xps 13 has the infinity screen at a higher resolution and comparable quality at $799
Oh, you mean The Plastic Fantastic.
Sorry you misunderstood me. I understand very well about the value of the cutting edge technology with Macs. Bang for your buck you get more with a Mac. I have no argument there. The new MB has great tech that will be in the future. However this is the first Air all over again. It was the future of Mac notebooks. However it was a hard sell until the price came down. The 13″ MBP starts at the same price and has better everything except size. The MBAs are $200.00 to $300.00 cheaper with better processors and ports. A lot of people will see those as more important. I believe it will be a hard sell at first, except to early adapters. Overpriced may have been the wrong choice of words. Hard to sell at the price point is better.
I did not say Apple sold anything as a gamer box. In fact just the opposite. Most people I find wanting the old tower design are more into DYI computers. Yes there are some sacrifices with the new Mac Pros, but not for people who want them for work. Being able to easily upgrade components and having them external is great. If a drive breaks you don’t have to stop using the Mac. If it breaks you can connect to another Mac. Downtime is minimized. Being quiet, small and easy to move is a game changer for high end computers.
This device most certainly is NOT targeted at the “hard-core” users such as yourself (or myself, for that matter). I can’t imagine anyone running Final Cut Pro X (or Logic Pro X) for extended periods of time on this device. While it will certainly be doable (and likely done on occasion), it will never be a primary device for such use. MBP is still there for those who need muscle.
Don’t forget, according to Steve’s crossed-lines diagram (Pro/Consumer, Portable/Desktop), MacBook has since its original inception been a consumer portable; certainly not a pro portable. For those unsure of this division, the pricing will give clues. Professional devices have always been about $2,000 and above (with some minor exceptions). Consumer devices would never approach $2,000 (in their standard configuration, although you could BTO with additional stuff beyond $2k).
Most people will be fine with this Air.
That is completely untrue and hard to believe anyone with any knowledge would say such a thing. Do I really have to explain how wrong this is?
Retina display
8 GB of ram
Very fast big ssd
Dual core procs. Not super fast true but much faster than powerbooks of years ago. Unless you are comparing megahertz which is now pretty close to meaningless.
All in a small silent very light and thin product. Really amazing actually.
Compare that to 2005 Powerbooks
http://www.everymac.com/systems/by_year/macs-released-in-2005.html
Really a bizarre and uninformed statement you made.
Well, i think Mike is looking at processor speed, which hasn’t increased in a decade. But bus speed and SSD helps a lot, so it’s still pretty responsive.
Personally, I’d have been more happy to see Apple release a 17″ Mackbook Pro that eclipses current iMac performance. Make it as thick as it needs to be, I don’t care. But a MBA will never replace a fully capable work laptop for me.
Don’t forget that the GPU is vastly more powerful, and Apple’s frameworks use it heavily.
-jcr
I think it’s a mistake to abandon MagSafe.
Why
Because, because…magNETic!!
Because accidentally pulling on the power cable and dragging your computer off a table onto the floor can still be expensive.
-jcr
That was an issue when macbooks had 6 hours of battery life, Now you can charge it overnight with your other gizmos, then use it all day long,
Sorry, but when your days are 14-16 hours long like some of mine are… scratch that… like many of mine are…. scratch like… like almost all of mine are, then charging overnight is not typically an option.
If you’re spending 14-16 hours in front of a computer then this MacBook is not the one for you.
And at 2 lbs total weight, you can bet this new macbook will go flying off the desk/counter when you merely catch your shoestrings on it. Won’t take a full blown snag with the shin to pull it off.
Because MagSafe kicks serious ass!
It’s gorgeous. I’m going to get one.
I have draws and draws of adapters – but never the one I want.
Built-in ports provide flexibility and give you a junk free experience. Which is more important to me than 5mm or 100g
Adapters are a complete pain in the *ss.
I think the places you are storing your adapters are in ‘drawers’.
Maybe he’s a Southerner, they talk funny like that.
You’re right of course. Just venting and posting without reading first. Sorry
So this new MB won’t work with the Thunderbolt Display? I’m very intrigued by this but need to use the TB Display and various other peripherals connected to it and from the MBA’s USB ports. If that can’t be done then I’ll just have to upgrade to the new 13″ MBA.
You are wrong. The new usb-c port is also a TB port, a displayport, etc.
It’ll work as a display port, NOT a Thunderbolt port.
The question was would the new MacBook work with the TB display, yes it will.
I sure wish they would’ve included a second USB-C port. If I get the new MacBook, I’ll need to buy/carry/use this:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/MJ1K2AM/A/usb-c-digital-av-multiport-adapter?fnode=51
And before someone can say, “Well, clearly this product isn’t for you!”.
That’s the point. The current MBA 11″ works great for me, and this new product would’ve been perfect. It’s a shame, that’s all.
Did you know that many (or most) peripherals can be wireless now? One port is more than enough for what this machine was designed for. Are you still lamenting the loss of the floppy drive?
The floppy drive was something entirely different. It took up a huge amount of space for something very few people used at all.
With USB-C, what exactly was the trade-off? The controller already allows for multiple ports, so it was literally just the space of the port itself for the sake of what???
One extra port would’ve made a huge difference for many people. As for “what it’s designed for”, funny, the older MBA11 meets my needs and was looking forward to the new MacBook, but wow, having 1 port poses a HUGE hassle for absolutely no gain.
The price of a MacBookPro with 512Gb SSD just went up AUD$500!!! WTF Apple. 🙁
so how much better is the intel core M over the I5/I7?
It’s not, except in power consumption, which is a really good reason for Apple to choose it.
The M stands for Mobile (or Molasses). It’s built for efficient power usage, not speed.
I’m not impressed either. This is just another MBA, and its good at being that — light and thin — basically a tablet with a keyboard. However, Apple really is failing to create innovative products that demonstrably improve life for folks; as far as I can see, people want functionality. What does this do that is even evolutionary in terms of usability and productivity?
A 17″ MBP would have been much more interesting, and a mid-tower would have been amazing.
I think it LOOKS nice. This is my same exact thought about the original MBA, and people bitched about that (yet bought a ton of them).
I expect this to not only do well, but the refinements will make the entire Mac notebook line far better. After all, the MBA made my latest MBP (2013) so much thinner. 😀
The original MBA got a lot of press but didn’t sell very well. It didn’t really start taking off until 2010… the same year the model with 2 USB ports and an SD slot were added.
Time to drastically reduce the number of MacBook x’s
Or at least set up the MacBook product line as an easily understandable product matrix.
After all BTO options can still be made available.
Right now, the MacBook product line is far too difficult to understand for the average consumer, let alone the price structure.
Apple may have just hit the tipping point…
The weight of the adapters now exceeds the weight of the laptop.
This reminds me of the original MacBook Air, underpowered and severely lacking in ports. Interesting but only aimed at a small demographic. Maybe in a few years it will grow up to be a real computer like the MacBook Air did.